Useful tips
Perhaps there is nothing more pleasant than coming home after a hard day and finding that your pet has been patiently waiting for you to return and is very happy about it.
And while everyone knows that pets bring joy, they also play an important role in improving our health.
Many people need emotional support from animals. It is not for nothing that there are even psychological practices using our smaller brothers.
Here's what happens to your body when you get a pet:
10.
Less stress
When you pet your pet, it helps reduce tension, relieve stress, and relax. Even if you just look into your favorite pet's eyes, you'll feel better. This is why some universities allow students to bring their favorite pets to campus during busy weeks of study.
According to scientists, this relaxing effect
is due to the hormone oxytocin, which is produced to help the body relax. Dogs, for example, produce this hormone when they look at their owner, which in turn produces the same thing. This was discovered by Professor Brian Hare from Duke University, USA.
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But not only dogs or cats help to cope with stress — fish are also great helpers. Looking at their smooth movements in the water helps a person relax. That is why some doctors, especially dentists, install aquariums in clinics.
Less pain
A 2015 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that children who have a dog at home are less likely to experience anxiety, including social phobia and separation anxiety (separation anxiety).
This is due to the fact that being near a puppy increases oxytocin levels. The calming effect can encourage children to connect with others and gain self-confidence.
See also: The year of a dog is not equal to 7 years in humans: scientists have developed a new formula for determining the age of dogs
9.
Children will be protected from allergies
There are people all over the world who, unfortunately, are unable to adopt pets due to allergies. But research has shown that pet ownership can help future generations be more resistant to allergies.
A 2004 study found that exposing children to animals can help prevent allergies and even asthma and atopic dermatitis (eczema). Surprisingly, the study involved at least one parent with asthma or allergies, meaning genetics has little to do with the development of allergies in children.
Allergies occur when our immune system attacks something it shouldn't attack, all due to improper “calibration”. This is reported by Jordan Peccia, professor of environmental engineering at Yale University.
He explained that during the first three months of life, it is important to expose babies to germs that pets bring in their fur. Such early exposure strengthens children's immunity.
8.
Your heart and brain will thank you
Pets not only fill the heart with joy, but also help it physically. According to a 2009 study, cat owners are less likely to have heart attacks.
But what if you don't really want a cat in your house?
In 2019, another study showed that dog owners are less likely to have recurrent heart problems.
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However, it should be noted that no study has shown a direct link between pets and the health of their owners. Scientists believe that it all comes down to the fact that pets help reduce stress hormones. A person who is stressed is generally susceptible to a variety of diseases, including heart disease.
Having a pet reduces the risk of stroke
When blood becomes blocked and cannot reach the brain, a stroke occurs. Some scientists say that owning a pet can help reduce the risk of stroke.
In addition, if you have a cat, the risk of having a heart attack is reduced by 30%, and the likelihood of becoming a victim of cardiovascular diseases is reduced by 40%.
According to the American Heart Association, even after a stroke, a dog can reduce the risk of premature death by 30%. The researchers explained that this is most likely due to an increase in the activity of people who have a pet.
Read also: Top 10 little pets for your child
7.
A good night's sleep
According to a 2017 study, our favorite pets also improve our sleep.
Although this seems like an ideal solution for those who suffer from insomnia, there is a small catch: you should not share a bed with your pet, but rather buy a separate crib or space for them to sleep.
6.
Less depression
According to a 2016 survey by the Human Animal Bond
Research Institute, 74% of pet owners said that since they came into their lives pet, they felt that their mental health had improved.
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According to numerous studies, pet owners are happier than those who do not have them, but scientists have not yet found an answer to why this happens. However, experts know for sure that being near the owner leads to the production of oxytocin in the human body, which improves mood.
Animal ownership also stimulates social interactions that have helped humans survive throughout human history.
A 2015 study found that pet owners were 60% more likely to meet other people.
Read also: 6 Benefits of children growing up with pets
5.
A strong immune system
Due to the fact that most people spend their lives indoors, they have little contact with bacteria on the street, which affects their immunity. This can cause many diseases caused by harmful microorganisms to which the immune system did not have time to adapt.
However, having a pet can change everything, as a person comes into contact with many microorganisms from animal hair.
It sounds weird, but your pet can actually improve your health. Dogs are dirty animals, and this suggests that children who are exposed to dirt and allergens have a stronger immune system. James E. talks about this. James E. Gern, a pediatrician at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, who researched this topic.
4.
You can avoid being overweight
If you want to lose weight, walking your dog can be a great option.
According to a study published in the journal Physical Activity and Health in 2015, dog owners who take their four-legged pets for walks on a regular basis, They lead a more active lifestyle, 2.5 times more likely to spend their full 150 minutes of exercise per week, which is the time to spend exercising, according to experts.
Even if you walk slowly, scientists say it's still very important for your health. And a daily walk of just 30 minutes can burn more than 100 calories.
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Lower cholesterol
Dog owners have lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which are responsible for your heart health.
Surprisingly, dog owners had low cholesterol levels even despite the food they ate or their weight.
Researchers believe that exercise plays a big role in keeping cholesterol levels low. While walking with your pet, the energy you use triggers enzymes that remove low-density lipoproteins from your body (a bad type of cholesterol that can build up in blood vessels and cause various problems).
Lowering blood pressure
A study by Australian researchers found that pet owners have lower blood pressure than others. Even if a person was obese or stressed from hard work, their favorite pet helped reduce blood pressure.
As we know, high blood pressure can lead to serious health problems, including heart disease.
Of course, pets will not be able to replace drugs for hypertensive patients, but they can be a useful bonus for them.
See also: 20 photos of the most unsuccessful dog haircuts by owners on self-isolation
3.
Stronger than bone
Whenever you play with your pet
or go for a walk together, your movements put pressure on your bones and help them grow stronger. According to experts, staying on your feet for a long time also improves your balance.
You can't say the same about cats, but their purring can help strengthen your own bones. The vibration frequency of cat purrs ranges from 20 to 150 hertz. Purring at a frequency of 25—100 Hz corresponds to established healing frequencies in therapeutic medicine for humans. This was announced by Gary Weitzman, veterinarian and CEO of the San Diego Humane Society.
According to the researchers, bone responds to a frequency of 25-50 Hz, and skin and soft tissues to a frequency of up to 100 Hz. While purring may be more beneficial to cats than you are, Weizman believes it acts as a sedative in humans.
2.
Less pain
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A study published in the journal Anthozoos in 2015 found that patients who were recovering from total joint replacement surgery and subsequently became participants in therapy with with the help of animals, they needed significantly fewer painkillers.
How does this work?
The distraction technique is one way that helps the body cope with constant pain. According to experts, when you pay attention to someone, such as a dog or cat, you feel less pain because you focus less on it.
People suffering from chronic pain also notice that their pet is more powerful than an analgesic, distracting when a person is in pain.
1.
Life expectancy is increasing
Although your furry friend won't be able to give you one of his nine lives, he can still help you improve your health and extend your life.
A 2019 study published in the journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes found that dog owners are more likely to live longer than non-pet owners.
Scientists say that loneliness and a sedentary lifestyle can significantly increase the risk of premature death. Dogs are great at motivating people to go outside and take a walk, and cats can comfort people and help cope with stress.
Read also: 11 signs your cat doesn't like you